During the summit, Trump criticised Spain, calling it a "wasted cause" and announcing a halt to US trade with the country after Madrid resisted US calls to increase defence spending and support military action against Iran .

Fico said the meeting also showed that some NATO members were interested in opening dialogue with Russia, a position Slovakia has long supported.

He reiterated that Slovakia would not contribute to NATO's €70 billion military aid package for Ukraine or the EU's €90 billion military loan.

"We are in favour of cooperation, dialogue and humanitarian aid; however, we are not in favour of war ," Fico said.

NATO leaders agreed during the July 7-8 summit to provide €70 billion in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine in 2026, with a commitment to maintain similar support in 2027.

"We demand that the government of the Republic of Poland take all measures to oppose any development of Ukraine's integration process with the European Union . The European Union cannot be based on an ideology contrary to Christian values, European values," Czarnek said.

His remarks followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's May 26 decree granting a Special Operations Forces unit the honorary title "Heroes of the UPA." While Ukraine says the title was chosen by the unit's soldiers and was not intended as an anti-Polish gesture, Poland holds the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) responsible for the wartime massacres of Polish civilians in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia, which it recognises as genocide.

"Ukraine is not doomed to glorify perpetrators of genocide. Ukraine has its own heroes. But Ukraine will not be free and will not be a member of the European Union," Czarnek said.

Ukraine applied for EU membership on February 28, 2022, four days after the conflict with Russia began. It was granted candidate status in June 2022, with EU leaders agreeing to open accession negotiations in December 2023. Formal talks began on June 25, 2024, followed by a screening process to assess Ukraine's alignment with EU legislation. Ukraine completed that process in September 2025, and on June 15, 2026, the EU and Kyiv opened the first negotiating cluster covering the rule of law, fundamental rights , democratic institutions, public administration reform and economic criteria, Viory reports.

Former president Janos Ader criticised the proposed amendment, describing the Tisza Party's initiative as unprecedented.

"After this constitutional amendment, anything can happen to anyone at any time in Hungary. And this leads not to legal certainty but to anarchy," Ader said.

Protesters accused Prime Minister Peter Magyar's government of undermining the constitution and the rule of law. "This is a trampling of the Constitution, the trampling of the rule of law and the death of democracy . If this remains the case and they remove the president of the Republic, then we must stand by them," said influencer Istvan Szakacs, who was previously arrested after posting a Facebook video stating that "If Viktor Orban gets to jail, 500,000 people will march and set him free."

Another demonstrator, identified only as Eszter, criticised Magyar's treatment of the president.

"The way he spoke to the president of the Republic is simply outrageous, shocking, and you cannot do such a thing. They didn't do that to the previous president of the Republic either," she said.

The protest was held in response to the proposed 17th Amendment to Hungary's Fundamental Law, introduced by the Tisza Party. The amendment would make changes affecting several public offices, including that of President Tamas Sulyok, and would also impose a 12-year term limit on Members of Parliament.

"Ukraine has the right to defend its territory - territorial integrity. We maintain our humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, but as I have said many times before, Hungary will not provide arms or troops to Ukraine," he said.

Despite Budapest's position on military aid, Magyar said Hungary remained committed to strengthening its own defence capabilities and would gradually increase military spending to meet NATO's long-term target.

"The Hungarian government has already decided to increase the defence spending in a predictable manner, and we will reach the 5 percent by 2035," he said.

NATO leaders are meeting in Ankara on July 7 and 8, with defence spending, continued support for Ukraine and the future direction of the alliance among the key issues on the agenda.

"They will fear that Ukraine will put a heavy burden on the EU budget," Fico said. "Yes, that is the other side of Ukraine's entry into the European Union . Therefore, everything has its time, and Ukraine must be patient. It must be very, very patient," he added.

Fico also questioned the European Union's proposed €90 billion ($103 billion) support package for Ukraine, claiming the bloc was funding Ukrainian weapons production that could later be sold back to EU member states.

"We are already in a mess. If we give someone 90 billion for the production of weapons, for support, for all sorts of things, they will manufacture weapons from it and then sell them back to the European Union," he said.

The Slovak prime minister said Slovakia's presidency of the Visegrad Group (V4) would focus on competitiveness, EU enlargement, people-to-people relations and practical cooperation, while making peace a fifth priority.

The European Union formally opened accession negotiations with Ukraine in June 2024. On Friday, EU member states reached a technical agreement to begin opening another accession negotiating cluster with Ukraine and Moldova, with formal approval expected on July 14.

"There is a shortage of anti-ballistic defence systems. There is a shortage of Patriot systems," Zelensky said. "Our partners - above all the United States and our European partners - must be more active in providing them," he added.

Zelensky said protecting Ukrainian cities would require not only additional Patriot deliveries but also the expansion of Europe's own anti-ballistic missile production capacity.

"A NATO summit will take place in the coming days. Air defence must become one of its key outcomes," he said, adding that Europe should develop sufficient capabilities to defend itself against all threats, including Russian ballistic missiles.

The Ukrainian president also revealed that Kyiv has held long-running discussions with the United States on licensing the production of Patriot systems, while also seeking to expand European missile manufacturing.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defence Ministry said its latest large-scale strikes targeted military-industrial enterprises, fuel and energy infrastructure, radio-electronic and aviation manufacturing facilities, a missile assembly and testing plant, a transport and logistics hub, gas distribution stations in Kyiv and the surrounding region, as well as facilities in the Dnepropetrovsk, Poltava, Cherkasy and Chernigov regions.

"Ukraine has repeatedly signalled that dragging Belarus into this war could lead to extremely dangerous consequences. In particular, we have recorded that special equipment has been installed along our border on the territory of Belarus, helping the Russians launch drone strikes against us, against our territory. Against our energy infrastructure , our railways, ordinary cities, and our villages. Belarus has time to dismantle this equipment," he said.

According to Zelensky, the equipment includes four repeaters located in Belarus's Gomel and Brest regions that allegedly assist in guiding drone attacks on Ukrainian targets.

The Ukrainian president also accused Belarusian industry of contributing to Russia's war effort through the supply of military-related components and fuel.

"We also know about every factory in Belarus that works for Russia and works for this war. Every single enterprise that supplies components for Russian weapons, armoured vehicles, missile systems, as well as the enterprises that supply Russia with fuel for the war. This is all dragging Belarus into the war. Ukraine does not want this, and we have actually warned the leadership of Belarus, which influences the relevant events," Zelensky said.

The warning follows a separate dispute earlier this week, when Russia and Belarus accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone strike on a bus transporting Belarusian schoolchildren in Russia's Bryansk region.

"The decision of the Ukrainian authorities to glorify the UPA is not only outrageous, it is also incomprehensible and deeply disappointing," Nawrocki said. "It strikes at the foundation of reconciliation. It strikes at the conviction that truth can be the common language of our nations."

The Polish president stressed that his decision was not directed against the Ukrainian people and did not alter Warsaw's strategic support for Kyiv.

"Poland remains ready to cooperate with Ukraine," he said. "But Poland will consistently guard the memory of its citizens and the dignity of its own state symbols...Poland will not agree to the glorification of those who murdered defenseless Polish civilians."

"Ukraine's path to European structures also requires a readiness to honestly face the difficult pages of its own history. For those who do not understand this, there can be no place in the European Union , and Poland will certainly not allow that," he added.

He warned that there were "limits that must not be crossed" in Polish-Ukrainian relations and urged Kyiv to return to what he called a path of truth and mutual respect.

Zelensky was awarded the Order of the White Eagle in 2023 by then-president Andrzej Duda. He had not commented on Nawrocki's decision at the time of publication.

The UPA was a nationalist armed group active during and after World War II. Poland holds UPA units responsible for massacres of Polish civilians in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia. In 2016, the Polish parliament recognised the killings as genocide and designated July 11 as a national day of remembrance for the victims.

"So, certain things deserve an immediate response. Donald Trump's statements are completely fabricated statements. I am frankly appalled. I do not know why the President of the United States behaves this way with his own allies," she said.

Meloni also criticised what she described as Trump's approach towards Western partners.

"Besides, it is not the first time this has happened. I can only say that it is regrettable that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West, with the enemies of the United States, with leaderships towards whom he instead proves to be much more accommodating," she said.

"But there is one thing he must remember; Italy and I never beg," she added.

The dispute erupted after Trump told an Italian television network that Meloni had repeatedly sought a photograph with him during the G7 gathering.

"She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt sorry for her," Trump said.

"I do not want any misunderstanding to arise; France supports fully the call made by Ghana," Macron said. "This call aims to establish historical truth in all its depth."

The French president said more work was needed to address what he described as the "dark areas" of history , stressing the importance of teaching future generations about slavery and understanding its long-term consequences.

"The first of reparations is the truth, the truth recognised and accepted," he said.

Macron reaffirmed France's commitment to the process of historical recognition.

"I want to assure you here of my full determination and that of France to continue this path of historical recognition with all its partners," he stated.

He also argued that reparations should go beyond financial compensation and include truth-telling, education , memorialisation and the return of looted cultural artefacts.

"The resolution put forward by Ghana expresses a deep aspiration for justice , and this, we cannot ignore," Macron said. "I therefore hope that through this unprecedented work of historical recognition, we can together lay the first foundations of a path towards reparations, reconciliation, and a shared future."

The conference was hosted by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and brought together the presidents of Senegal and Namibia, as well as representatives of the African Union, CARICOM and the African diaspora to discuss practical measures for reparatory justice related to slavery and colonialism.

According to the committee, a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle struck a bus belonging to Rechitsa Youth Sports School No. 2 while it was travelling from Belarus on the Gomel–Gelendzhik route.

The bus was carrying 44 passengers, including 28 young athletes heading to a holiday destination.

“Early reports suggest that one woman was killed. Six people were injured. They have been taken to hospital,” Petrenko said, adding that the number of casualties was still being verified.

The Investigative Committee said experienced investigators, forensic experts and other specialists had been assigned to the case.

“The investigation will establish the type of unmanned aerial vehicle and explosives used, as well as the individuals from the Ukrainian Armed Forces responsible for another inhumane crime against civilian children ,” Petrenko stated.

The committee described the incident as a terrorist act and said it would seek to identify those responsible.

“The newly published asset declarations have shown the entire country that Tisza Party representatives are wealthy,” Orban said.

“They have also taken the lead in luxury lifestyles. Gifted BMWs are flying around, ministers are being driven in Maseratis, while our representatives can only look on,” he added.

Orban also condemned what he described as politically motivated investigations into his former administration, arguing that the government's actions amounted to an abuse of power.

“The current showcase investigations, politically motivated proceedings, aggressiveness and abuse of power will ultimately work in our favour,” he said. “The government is gradually entering into an abusive relationship with the entire country.”

His remarks came after Hungary's Integrity Authority said senior officials from the Orban era could potentially face prosecution over an estimated €3.5 billion in missing EU funds . While neither Orban nor members of his inner circle have been directly accused, parliament has established five commissions to investigate alleged corruption under his administration.

Despite attacking the government, Orban acknowledged that Fidesz had contributed to its own defeat in April's election . “Our election message did not work, while our opponents' message proved far more attractive,” he said.

Delegates overwhelmingly voted to keep Orban as Fidesz leader, backing him by 729 votes to eight.

The former prime minister's re-election comes as Fidesz seeks to rebuild after losing power to Peter Magyar's Tisza Party, which secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority in April.

He also criticised the handling of Hungary's dispute with the European Union over asylum policy, arguing that the previous government had knowingly exposed the country to substantial financial penalties.

“This daily one million euros, about which the cabinet meeting minutes acknowledge, not that it is justified, but that the previous government did everything to ensure there would be a penalty of this severity,” Magyar said.

In June 2024, the European Court of Justice fined Hungary €200 million and imposed an additional €1 million daily penalty for failing to comply with EU asylum regulations.

Magyar said his government was exploring solutions used elsewhere in Europe to meet EU requirements while avoiding the establishment of migrant camps in Hungary.

“We are working to develop such a regulation so that, on the one hand, there indeed won't be migrant camps in Hungary, and we won't have to continue paying this daily fine of one million euros,” he said.

Asked about the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which entered into force on Friday, Magyar said Hungary would favour providing technical assistance to other member states rather than accepting relocated asylum seekers.

“There is a third option, for example, which the Orban government also used previously, providing additional technical border protection assistance through Frontex to either Greece or Serbia,” he said.

Magyar argued that the pact includes broader provisions beyond migrant relocation and introduces stricter migration rules than previous EU frameworks.

A counter-demonstration organised by Southampton Stand Up Against Racism also took place. Police maintained a separation between the two groups before the counter-protest dispersed.

The demonstrations followed the sentencing of 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 21 years, for the murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton last December.

The case drew national attention after police bodycam footage emerged showing Nowak telling officers he had been stabbed while being detained at the scene. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has since called for an urgent review of laws governing the carrying of bladed articles for religious and ceremonial purposes, saying mistakes made during the incident should be examined.

Tensions were further heightened by a knife attack in Belfast on Monday in which a man was seriously injured after being slashed in the head and neck. Video of the incident circulated widely on social media .

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as “sickening.” Police arrested a 30-year-old Sudanese national in connection with the Belfast attack and said there was currently no evidence to suggest it was terrorism-related.

According to police, the suspect travelled from Sudan to Paris before entering Ireland through Dublin and later moving to Belfast, where he sought asylum and was granted permission to remain.

“Why did Marco Rubio and the US Congress propose to tighten sanctions the day before yesterday?” Kobyakov said. “It became clear to them that the outcome was not in their favour, but in our favour. And now what do they need to do? They need to make our lives as difficult as possible.”

He also criticised Washington's role in peace efforts, alleging that the United States was attempting to distance itself from negotiations after supporting Ukraine throughout the conflict.

“The United States is trying to get out of the negotiations,” Kobyakov said. “The United States ignited the conflict , dragged everyone into it, and now they pretend that they can become mediators.”

His remarks came days after U.S. lawmakers announced plans to develop additional sanctions targeting Russia.

Despite political tensions, Kobyakov said American businesses appeared interested in rebuilding ties with Moscow, citing the presence of a U.S. delegation at this year's forum after years of limited participation.

“Every day we woke up wanting to come back, and all the other guys there thought the same,” he said. “We prayed constantly. We all have crosses and icons. Without faith, we wouldn’t have returned or survived.”

Earlier, Russia’s Defence Ministry announced that Moscow and Kyiv had carried out a “185-for-185” prisoner exchange with mediation from the United Arab Emirates.

“On 5 June, 185 Russian servicemen were returned from territory controlled by the Kiev regime. In exchange, 185 prisoners of war from the Ukrainian Armed Forces were handed over,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that the released Russian servicemen were initially transferred to Belarus, where they received medical and psychological assistance before returning home.

According to Russian authorities, the soldiers will now undergo further treatment and rehabilitation at specialised medical facilities in Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also confirmed the exchange, saying 185 Ukrainian servicemen and one civilian had been returned from Russian captivity. He thanked those involved in facilitating the swap, including international mediators.

The United Arab Emirates has played a recurring role in brokering prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said 185 military personnel and one civilian had been returned in the exchange. “Another 185 Ukrainian defenders are returning home from Russian captivity today. One civilian is also returning alongside the defenders,” Zelensky said in a statement.

He noted that some of the released prisoners had been held by Russia since 2022. “I thank everyone who makes this possible: the team working on prisoner exchanges and our partners,” he added.

Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed the swap, saying the returned Russian servicemen were in Belarus, where they were receiving medical and psychological support.

“After receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance, the Russian servicemen will be transported to the Russian Federation for further treatment and rehabilitation,” the ministry said.

The United Arab Emirates helped facilitate the exchange through humanitarian mediation efforts, according to Russian authorities.

Prisoner swaps have remained one of the few areas of cooperation between Kyiv and Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale military offensive against Ukraine in February 2022.

According to Moscow, units from the Northern Group of Forces are continuing offensive operations aimed at creating what it described as a “ security buffer zone” in the Sumy and Kharkov regions.

“The enemy attempted to redeploy reserves from elite assault units in order to hold their positions, but these efforts were unsuccessful,” the ministry said in a statement. “The militants suffered losses and were forced to withdraw.”

Ukraine had not commented on the Russian claims at the time of publication.

However, Ukraine’s General Staff reported that air strikes had been recorded in several areas of the Sumy region, including near Tolstodubovo, over the previous 24 hours.

Russia launched its full-scale military offensive against Ukraine in February 2022 following its recognition of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People ’s Republics.

Kyiv condemned the move as an invasion, while Western countries imposed sweeping sanctions on Moscow and increased military support for Ukraine.

“Europe has fundamental interests in how the Arctic develops,” Sikela said.

He said the EU’s updated Arctic strategy would focus on investment in energy, education , connectivity and the “responsible development of resources.”

“It will not be written in Brussels and delivered here,” Sikela said. “Greenlandic input at this formative stage is one of the central reasons for my visit.”

Sikela described Greenland as central to Europe’s Arctic strategy, saying the EU wanted to “build with Greenland” rather than simply benefit from its resources.

Prime Minister Nielsen said Greenland was interested in developing a “stronger and better” partnership with the European Union.

Responding to questions about tensions with Washington, Nielsen denied that the meeting was intended as a political message to U.S. President Donald Trump .

“In Greenland, in terms of the United States, we have a working group. We have a dialogue to try to sort things out,” he said.

He added that the strengthening of EU-Greenland ties had been under discussion long before the recent geopolitical tensions surrounding the Arctic island.

The commissioner’s visit coincided with the first official trip to Greenland by Jeff Landry, Trump’s special envoy to the territory.

Trump has repeatedly pushed for the United States to acquire Greenland, arguing that control of the island is important for countering growing Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic.

The operation was overseen by Robert Brovdi, known by the call sign “Madyar,” commander of Ukraine’s drone forces.

“The priority remains the constant development of the use of long-range strike capabilities against a wide range of military targets dispersed over the vast territory of the aggressor country,” Brovdi told AFP.

According to Brovdi, fuel and energy facilities across southern Russia, the Urals and Siberia remain key targets, including oil terminals, refineries and gas processing complexes.

He said the facilities help finance Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attacks as a “fully justified” response to ongoing Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure .

Ukraine has increasingly relied on long-range drone attacks to strike deep inside Russian territory, targeting sites Kyiv says are linked to Moscow’s military-industrial complex. Russia stated on Sunday that Kyiv bombed its territory with 600 drones, in attacks that caused four deaths.

“Hungary’s economic growth is now the second highest in the European Union ,” Orbán said. “Thanks to a work-based economic policy, one million more Hungarians are employed today than in 2010.”

He said the minimum wage had risen more than fourfold since 2010, while average salaries had also increased significantly.

Orbán also pointed to the repurchase of key assets, including the airport and energy companies, as well as an increase in Hungary’s gold reserves from three tonnes to more than 100 tonnes.

“This is the point from which the liberal government begins,” he said. “Let’s hope they do not ruin it.”

Orbán also defended his government’s energy policy, saying reduced utility prices and energy security were among its major achievements.

His remarks came days after Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s new prime minister, ending Orbán’s 16-year rule. Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party won a landslide victory in April, securing a two-thirds parliamentary majority.

In his inauguration speech, Magyar accused the former ruling elite of leaving Hungary politically and economically weakened, and pledged democratic and institutional reforms.

“We started working on it in 2011,” Putin said. “It is the most powerful missile system in the world .”

He claimed the Sarmat’s warhead power is more than four times that of any existing Western counterpart, adding that the missile’s flight path gives it greater range and accuracy.

Putin said the system would be placed on combat duty by the end of the year.

Russia also released footage of what it said was the latest successful test launch of the missile.

The Russian leader also said two other nuclear-powered systems, the Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle and the Burevestnik global-range cruise missile, are in the final stages of development.

He added that the medium-range Oreshnik missile system is already on combat duty and can also be fitted with nuclear warheads.

The Sarmat, developed by the Makeyev Design Bureau with industry partners, is a fifth-generation intercontinental ballistic missile. Moscow says it can deliver multiple warheads and carry Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles.

The missile’s first successful launch took place on April 20, 2022, at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia’s Arkhangelsk region.

“Our official stance is: let’s diversify the supply options for all fuels, but also keep open the possibility when it comes to Russian oil and gas,” Fico said.

He also criticised what he described as growing U.S. interest in European energy transit infrastructure .

“The Russians will supply the Americans with gas and oil at standard prices, and the Americans will sell it to us with an American high-margin surcharge,” he said. “Are we such idiots already?”

The remarks come as the EU continues to pursue its REPowerEU strategy, aimed at ending reliance on Russian fossil fuels following the escalation of the war in Ukraine in 2022.

Under the plan, Russian liquefied natural gas imports would be phased out by the end of 2026, while pipeline gas imports would end by September 30, 2027, with a possible short extension.

EU member states are also required to outline how they will replace Russian energy supplies.

Fico has repeatedly argued that a rapid break from Russian energy could increase costs for Central European countries that remain heavily dependent on imports.

This year marks the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. Russia and several other former Soviet states mark Victory Day on May 9, while many Western countries observe Victory in Europe Day on May 8 because of the time difference when Germany’s surrender took effect.

The parade was held under tight security and was significantly scaled down, with heavy military hardware absent for the first time in nearly two decades. Russian officials cited security concerns linked to possible Ukrainian attacks.

The event came as Russia and Ukraine began a three-day ceasefire from May 9 to 11, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump . The deal also includes a planned prisoner exchange of 1,000 people from each side.

“I just had a good conversation with the Prime Minister of Slovakia. Officially, we appreciate that Slovakia has taken steps to unblock the European support package for Ukraine and the sanctions package against Russia ,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian leader said both sides agreed on the need to maintain strong bilateral relations despite recent differences. According to Ukraine’s presidential office, Zelensky and Fico also discussed a possible in-person meeting, with their teams expected to work on scheduling details.

Zelensky said Slovakia had reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union. Ukraine’s presidential office said Fico told Zelensky that Slovakia supports Ukraine’s EU membership and is ready to share its own experience of accession.

The comments follow weeks of tensions over EU support for Ukraine, including a €90 billion package and additional sanctions against Moscow. The funding had been held up amid objections from Hungary and Slovakia linked to disputes over Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline, Viory reports.

Ukraine said the pipeline had been damaged by a Russian strike and later repaired it after requests from the European Union. Zelensky said on April 21 that Kyiv had completed “all necessary steps” on its side and expected the EU to deliver on its commitments.

Hungary, under outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, had repeatedly blocked or delayed EU measures in support of Ukraine. Orbán’s Fidesz party lost Hungary’s April 12 election to Péter Magyar’s Tisza party, raising expectations in Kyiv and Brussels that Budapest’s stance on Ukraine could shift.

Orbán had accused Ukraine and the EU of interfering in Hungary’s election campaign, allegations that his opponents denied. The dispute over Ukraine aid, sanctions and energy transit had become a central issue in Hungary’s election campaign and in EU negotiations on support for Kyiv.

“We demand the release of the Spanish citizen who has been unlawfully detained by Netanyahu’s government ,” Sánchez said.

His comments followed the interception of vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian-led aid mission seeking to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza . Israeli authorities detained activists from the flotilla, including Spanish-Swedish activist Saif Abukeshek and Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila, according to AP.

The flotilla began its Barcelona departure window in mid-April, with organisers describing it as one of the largest civilian-led maritime missions to Gaza. AP reported that more than 70 boats and over 1,000 activists were involved in the mission, with departures delayed by bad weather .

Israel’s foreign ministry said about 175 activists were detained after Israeli forces intercepted 22 vessels. Flotilla organisers accused Israel of carrying out an unlawful seizure in international waters, while several governments criticised the operation. Turkey described the interception as “piracy,” and Italy demanded the release of its nationals.

At the Málaga rally, Sánchez also rejected calls for Spain to raise defence spending to five percent of GDP, a target backed by the United States and discussed within NATO.

“It would mean an extra €3,000 per citizen in Spain, €80 billion more per year,” Sánchez said. “That would mean raising taxes or cutting the welfare state.”

He added that his government would “always stand on the side of the welfare state.”

Sánchez has previously opposed NATO’s proposed five percent defence spending target, calling it unreasonable and incompatible with Spain’s welfare priorities. Spain later secured an agreement with NATO allowing it to avoid the five percent target while raising defence spending to 2.1 percent of GDP.

May Day rallies are held every year on May 1 in France and across the world , with workers and unions using the occasion to demand better wages, improved working conditions, and expanded social protections. In Paris, this year’s inter-union march was expected to move from Place de la République to Place de la Nation.

The demonstrations come amid renewed tensions over workers’ rights in France, including opposition from unions to proposed changes affecting work rules on the May 1 public holiday.

Orbán accused the opposition Tisza party of threatening stability and suggested a change of government could pull Hungary closer to Brussels and deeper into external conflicts. The election has increasingly been framed by Orbán as a choice between “peace and war,” with his campaign focusing heavily on immigration, the war in Ukraine and Hungary’s fraught relationship with the European Union .

The vote on April 12 is shaping up to be Orbán’s toughest contest in years. Opposition leader Péter Magyar and his Tisza party have gained momentum by casting the election as a referendum on Hungary’s place in Europe and on Orbán’s 16 years in power, during which critics say democratic standards have eroded and ties with Brussels have deteriorated.

Recent polling has painted a mixed picture, though several independent surveys have shown Tisza ahead among likely voters, while Orbán has retained strong backing in rural areas and among older Hungarians.

Using the North American findings as a benchmark, the team reported differences by city. London’s gas contained about 64 times more benzene, Amsterdam about 73 times more, and Milan about 8.5 times more, compared with the earlier North American data.

The study also raised concerns about leaks inside kitchens. When researchers checked appliances while stoves were switched off, they found leaks in roughly 40% of kitchens. They estimated that about 9% of homes had leaks large enough to exceed recommended exposure limits under UK and EU guidelines.

A key problem, researchers said, is that many people may not get a clear warning. Gas utilities add sulphur-based odorants so leaks can be detected by smell, but the study found odour levels were often too low to alert households before benzene concentrations could rise to hazardous levels.

Ventilation helped reduce indoor pollution , opening windows or using extractor hoods lowered concentrations during cooking, but researchers said constant leaks would require hours of ventilation a day, making the issue hard to manage at the household level.

“This is really a systemic problem,” lead author Dr Tamara Sparks said, arguing that stronger measures, such as improving leak detection and increasing odorisation levels, could help people identify smaller leaks sooner and reduce long-term exposure risks.

Belgium has long faced scrutiny over the killing. A 2002 parliamentary investigation concluded the Belgian state was “morally responsible” for Lumumba’s death.

Prosecutors say Davignon, who was a junior diplomat at the time and later became a European commissioner, is accused of war crimes linked to Lumumba’s unlawful detention or transfer, the denial of his right to an impartial trial, and what they described as “humiliating and degrading treatment.” He is also accused in connection with the deaths of Lumumba’s political allies Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito.

Davignon is the only living suspect among those accused of involvement in the killing. The case was brought by Lumumba’s family and later taken up by Belgian federal prosecutors.

After the ruling, Lumumba’s granddaughter Yema Lumumba said it was “a step in the right direction,” adding: “What we want is to search for truth and establish different responsibilities.” The family’s lawyer, Christophe Marchand, called it “a gigantic victory,” saying it is difficult for a country to judge its own colonial crimes.

Lumumba, who was 35 when he was executed, remains a symbol of African independence movements. The only known remains of the slain leader, a single gold-capped tooth, were recovered years later after being held by the family of a deceased Belgian officer linked to the disappearance of his body.

Hungary has vetoed the package amid a dispute over the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian crude to parts of Central Europe. Budapest says Ukraine deliberately cut supplies, while Kyiv says oil flows stopped after a Russian attack damaged pipeline infrastructure in late January, and repairs are underway. Zelensky said the Soviet-era pipeline could be operational again “within a month and a half.”

Orban, who faces Hungary’s parliamentary election on April 12, has accused Ukraine of trying to influence the campaign and has urged the European Commission to pressure Kyiv to restart deliveries.

In a letter shared publicly this week, Orban claimed there was “no technical or operational reason” the pipeline could not return to normal immediately.

The standoff comes as Ukraine continues to fight Russia n assaults along the front line. An analysis by Finland-based open-source group Black Bird Group found Russia lost more territory than it gained in February for the first time since 2023.

“We have drastically reduced our presence in Europe and the UK,” Lavrov told lawmakers. “And 90% of these redundant employees have been redeployed to African destinations.”

Since Russia ’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, hundreds of Russian diplomats have been expelled from Western countries amid accusations of espionage and sabotage. According to Russia’s state-run Tass news agency, at least 574 diplomats were declared persona non grata in the first year of the war alone.

As relations with Europe deteriorate and Russia faces economic strain from the war, Africa has emerged as a key arena for Moscow’s diplomatic outreach. Unlike China or the United States , Russia is not offering large-scale infrastructure investments. Instead, it is relying on lower-cost tools of influence.

The Russian Orthodox Church has expanded its presence to at least 34 African countries in recent years. At the same time, Russia has tripled the number of scholarships available to African students to study in Russian universities.

Bloomberg also reported that the Kremlin has created a new international relations department focused on countries selected by President Vladimir Putin, with a special team dedicated to Africa policy .

The strategy allows Moscow to increase its global footprint while avoiding major financial commitments.

“I have seen that Europe continues to buy Russian gas, but Europe does not want our countries to talk about Russia,” he said. “I think we need to be a bit more honest and sincerely recognise each other’s potential. Our struggle is to determine for ourselves with whom we want to cooperate,” he added.

Traore said Burkina Faso wants the freedom to “analyse, choose, formulate, create and evaluate” its partnerships independently.

Traore also confirmed that Burkina Faso is deepening cooperation with Russia in civil nuclear energy.

“This is no longer just a plan,” he said. “We are already collaborating with Russia in the field of nuclear energy. The Minister of Energy has signed the memorandum.” He added that the country is now working to establish the legal and institutional framework required for the project.

Burkina Faso, led by a military government since a 2022 coup, has strengthened ties with Russia while distancing itself from France, its former colonial power.

Despite sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, several European Union countries continue to import Russian fossil fuels.

According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), France was the EU’s largest importer of Russian fossil fuels in February 2025, purchasing €399 million worth. Some liquefied natural gas (LNG) delivered to France’s Dunkerque terminal was later sent to Germany.

Hungary ranked second with €307 million in imports, including crude oil and pipeline gas. Belgium was third, importing €266 million worth of Russian LNG, some of which may have been re-exported to other EU states.

Overall, the EU accounted for 14 percent of global Russian fossil fuel purchases in February, spending around €1.7 billion, nearly half of which was on LNG.

According to the Commission, features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, push notifications and highly personalised content recommendations make it harder for users to stop scrolling and may harm their physical and mental wellbeing.

EU officials said TikTok did not do enough to assess or reduce the impact of these features, particularly on minors and vulnerable users. Regulators raised concerns about excessive screen time, including children using the app late at night.

“TikTok has to take action,” EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen told reporters. “They have to change the design of their service in Europe to protect minors and their wellbeing.”

The Commission said TikTok’s existing screen-time controls and parental tools were ineffective. It noted that time limits were easy to dismiss and that parental controls required extra effort and technical knowledge from parents to set up.

The investigation into TikTok began in February 2024 and was the first case opened under the DSA, the EU’s sweeping law aimed at tightening oversight of major digital platforms. The law allows regulators to fine companies up to six per cent of their global annual turnover if breaches are confirmed.

To avoid penalties, the Commission said TikTok could be required to redesign parts of its app, including limiting infinite scrolling, introducing stronger screen-time breaks, especially at night and adjusting how its recommendation algorithms work.

TikTok will now be allowed to review the EU’s findings and respond to the allegations. EU officials said the company has so far cooperated with regulators.

More than 120 members of parliament supported the cross-party bill, which will now be debated in the Senate. “By allowing such a right or duty to persist, we are collectively giving our approval to a system of domination and predation by husband on wife. Marriage cannot be a bubble in which consent to sex is regarded as definitive and for life,” said the bill’s sponsor, Green MP Marie-Charlotte Garin.

France’s civil code currently lists four duties linked to marriage fidelity, support, assistance and cohabitation, but makes no mention of a sexual obligation. However, older court rulings have sometimes interpreted cohabitation as meaning a “shared bed,” allowing the concept of marital duty to persist in practice.

The issue drew renewed attention after a 2019 case in which a man was granted a divorce because his wife had stopped having sex with him.

Last year, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of the woman, stating that a wife who refuses sex should not be considered “at fault” in divorce proceedings.

The bill comes as France continues to update its laws around sexual violence . In 2024, the country adopted the principle of consent in its legal definition of rape, following similar reforms in countries such as Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Oke Göttlich, a vice-president of the German Football Association (DFB), said Europe should begin a serious conversation about whether participating is still appropriate. “For me, that time has definitely come,” Göttlich told German newspaper Hamburger Morgenpost, urging leaders to “seriously consider and discuss” a boycott.

He compared the current moment to Cold War-era Olympic boycotts, adding, “By my reckoning, the potential threat is greater now than it was then. We need to have this discussion.”

The boycott debate has been fuelled by Trump’s aggressive posturing toward Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. Trump has suggested annexing the island and imposed tariffs on European nations that opposed his plans, including Germany.

German MP Jürgen Hardt said the national team might consider skipping the tournament “as a last resort” to bring Trump “to his senses.”

In France , left-wing lawmaker Eric Coquerel also called for the World Cup to be moved out of the US. “Seriously, can we really imagine going to play the footie World Cup in a country that attacks its neighbours, threatens to invade Greenland, undermines international law?” Coquerel wrote on X.

Concerns have also been raised over Trump’s immigration crackdown and claims of abuses by federal enforcement agencies. Swiss academic Mark Pieth warned that the political climate does not encourage fans to travel.

“What we are seeing domestically, the marginalisation of political opponents, abuses by immigration services , doesn’t exactly encourage fans to go there,” Pieth said.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has also weighed in, writing on X, “I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.”

A poll in Germany found 47% of respondents would support a boycott if Trump moved to annex Greenland, while a petition in the Netherlands calling for the Dutch team to boycott the event gathered more than 150,000 signatures. Meanwhile, no European country has announced a formal boycott.

While city officials have urged residents to temporarily leave Kyiv if possible, zoo animals have no such option. Among them is Tony, a 51-year-old gorilla, one of the zoo’s most well-known residents.

“You can tell people to go to the countryside, but I can’t say that to Tony,” said zoo director Kyrylo Trantin. “He doesn’t have a grandmother in the countryside where he could stay.”

To keep Tony’s enclosure at a steady 20 degrees Celsius, staff feed firewood into a stove up to five times a day. Generators run constantly to provide heat to other animals, including horses, bison and an elephant.

Power cuts have also disrupted water supplies, but zoo workers have prepared for emergencies. Staff member Viktoriia Sluzhenko said the zoo maintains enough water reserves to operate independently for up to three days. The elephant alone requires about 150 litres of water each day.

“Every day is a battle for warmth and power,” Trantin said. Trantin, like many others are juggling the responsibility of caring for animals while also coping with the same hardships affecting the rest of the city.

Julen argues the tower could help ease Zermatt’s housing crisis. The village’s population of 5,800 swells to around 40,000 in winter, pushing property prices to some of the highest in Europe. Many locals have been priced out, he says, and need affordable housing.

But the reaction so far has been largely negative. Critics warn the development would worsen overtourism, strain infrastructure , and dramatically alter views of the Matterhorn, one of Switzerland’s most famous natural symbols. Tourism groups and residents say the project risks turning the quiet alpine valley into a commercial “mountain city.”

Online, the pushback has been even sharper, with some joking that developers may as well “dig up the Matterhorn and build apartments inside it.”

The proposal remains at an early stage, with no approvals granted.

“Citizens have stopped coming to Portugal and have started going to other countries,” he said, citing a decline in arrivals from Brazil , India, Angola, Pakistan, Nepal, and other key migrant communities.

While the government argues the law is necessary to regulate and control migration, Macedo stressed that Portugal cannot afford to close its doors.

“Portugal needs immigrants,” he insisted. “To meet the goals of the Portugal 2030 plan and the Recovery and Resilience Program (RRP), more immigrants are needed, from Brazil or anywhere else,” he told Viory.

Portugal, which faces an ageing population and labour shortages across sectors such as construction, agriculture, hospitality, and care services, has long relied on immigration to sustain its workforce. 

Macedo acknowledged the government’s desire for clearer rules but argued that overly rigid restrictions will “complicate the Portuguese economy ,” undermining growth at a time when labour demand remains high.

“Targeting the centre of community life on the holiest day of the year was not just an attack on British Jews, it was an attack on all of us. It was an attack on our humanity and on Britain’s values of freedom, compassion and respect,” Badenoch said.

She warned that anti-semitic hate and radical Islamist ideology had been “allowed to fester unchecked” in Britain’s streets for years, pointing to inflammatory slogans at protests and intimidation of Jewish communities.

“We have tolerated this in our country for too long,” she said. “You can think what you like and, within the law , say what you like, but you have no right to turn our streets into theatres of intimidation, and we will not let you do so anymore,” she warned.

She further urged the country to draw a “firm line” against importing values hostile to Britain’s democratic principles. She reassured Jewish communities that the government “stands with you shoulder to shoulder.”

A man believed to be Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian origin, was shot dead by police after launching an attack on a Manchester synagogue during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Two worshippers, Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 55, were killed in the incident. Police confirmed that one of the victims died after being accidentally shot by officers attempting to stop the attacker. 

Footage from inside the store shows ecstatic customers clutching the toothy creations from Chinese toymaker Pop Mart, some smiling as they explore the shelves filled with the sought-after collectables.

Labubu is a series of collectable designer plush toys created by artist Kasing Lung, known for its quirky monster elf characters featuring playful designs, exaggerated expressions, and animal-like traits.

His remarks came during a high-profile gathering of Europe’s far-right leaders convened by French National Rally leader Marine Le Pen in the Loiret region south of Paris.

The meeting, held to commemorate the first anniversary of Le Pen’s National Rally’s best-ever performance in European elections, served as a rallying point for anti-immigration forces emboldened by Donald Trump ’s return to the White House and recent electoral gains across Europe.

Joining Orban were prominent right-wing figures, including Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the League party, Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain’s Vox party and Andrej Babis, former Czech Prime Minister.

Speaking at the meeting, Orban reaffirmed his longstanding position that Europe’s migration policy is fundamentally flawed.

"We will not let them destroy our cities and the safety of our streets. We will not let them violate our daughters and our women. We will not allow peaceful citizens to be killed. My friends, we will not stand idly by, pointing at Brussels and international law like losers. We will act. What is happening is not migration, it is an organised exchange of populations intended to replace the cultural bedrock of Europe," he said.

The European Union has long sought to manage migration through a mix of border controls, humanitarian resettlement, and burden-sharing among member states. Key elements include:

Nicuşor Dan, the current mayor of Bucharest and a former civil society activist, secured 53.6% of the vote in the second round, after a campaign centred on anti-corruption, EU integration, and urban development, defeating George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), who garnered 46.4%.

The victory has been widely celebrated by pro-democracy advocates, especially among younger and urban voters who view Dan as a symbol of transparency and progressive leadership.

Celebrations broke out in the streets of Bucharest and other major cities late Sunday night, May 18, with crowds waving Romanian and European Union flags, chanting Dan’s name and calling for a “new Romania.” Many supporters see his presidency as a turning point that could reverse years of political stagnation and nationalist rhetoric.

"I am happy, confident and optimistic for the next five years. Romanians have united, mobilised and voted massively in the direction that I consider to be the right one, the direction of the European Union, the direction of freedom, and they have not allowed themselves to be carried away by this sovereigntist wave that has risen in recent months," Maria Achim, a student told AFP during the celebration rally.

The runoff witnessed a historic voter turnout of 64.72%, the highest since 1996, with over 11.6 million votes cast, reflecting the high stakes of a race widely seen as a referendum on Romania’s future on the international stage.

Russia is preparing to hold a military parade on May 9 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat—an event President Vladimir Putin aims to use as a demonstration of national strength.

Some residents welcomed any temporary lull in fighting as a chance to seek safety, reconnect with family, or access basic supplies.

"Today, at least I slept. The night before last, no. I think today was calmer," Nastya, a resident, told AFP.

Kateryna, on the other hand, shared, "They say we have a ceasefire, like, 'we’re not firing heavy weapons,' but at the crossing zone, everything is the same as it was. They are inconsistent in their actions. It seems that no one is paying attention to this — we are. After the other day, when we had 12 Shahed drones , I even thought about boarding up my windows. Those are the kinds of thoughts I have. I’m not even thinking about a ceasefire."

The order, which is expected to last from May 8 to May 10 , is met with suspicion by many Ukrainians who recall previous truces being violated or used as cover for repositioning troops.

For Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy's chief of staff, "The Kremlin's proposal for a three-day truce is not about peace , but about safely holding the parade in Moscow. This is political manipulation."

"It really does feel as though the state wants to kill us," said Helen Belcher, a prominent trans rights campaigner and chair of the advocacy group TransActual.

Speaking to the AFP following the court’s decision, Belcher said the ruling represents a fundamental denial of trans people's identities and lived realities.

Belcher, 61, who is also a Liberal Democrat politician, said the implications of the ruling are already being felt within the trans community.

"I fear for people's mental health. I fear for people's physical health. I fear for people's ability to earn money. They've issued a ruling that sex is biological, but they haven't defined what biological means,” said Belcher

Belcher warned and reasoned that the judgment leans on a rigid and outdated framework, dismissing scientific literature that recognises sex and gender as complex spectrums.

“They're relying very much on a Trumpian, evangelical Christian simplistic world model,” Belcher said, “ignoring all huge amounts of scientific literature, which says that sex is not binary, it's not simple, it's really complex. In their judgment, they have decided basically that intersex people and non-binary people don't exist. And it's awful."

Belcher, who transitioned more than 20 years ago, described the ruling as a deeply personal blow.

“To go through that process - sometimes painful process - of getting to understand myself, having invasive medical questioning, some painful surgeries, to then be told, ‘Yeah, but you're still a man,’ is deliberately and intentionally cruel.”

The ruling has brought back the already polarised national debate over trans rights. However, the Supreme Court justices emphasised that trans people remain protected under the Equality Act against discrimination and harassment.

The newly instated amendment emphasizes that the rights of children to moral, physical, and spiritual development supersede all other rights, apart from the right to life. Moreover, it explicitly restricts the depiction or promotion of homosexuality for individuals under 18 years of age in the interests of "child protection."

In practical terms, this amendment allows authorities to ban public activities organized by LGBTQ+ communities, which includes events like Budapest Pride. Further measures permit law enforcement to employ facial recognition technology to identify participants at banned events, potentially imposing fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints or approximately 546 US dollars. Critics express that such constitutional alterations serve to distract the public from pressing national issues and bolster support for Orban ahead of forthcoming elections .

Previously reported by UNN, the ruling FIDESZ party has consistently expressed intentions to prevent annual pride parades in Budapest, highlighting an ongoing conflict between the government and LGBTQ+ rights advocates in Hungary.

Provided free of charge to Acceptess-T, Maison des Iris aims to be more than just a shelter. The centre will support residents in their efforts to find employment , access healthcare, and secure long-term housing, while also empowering them to pursue personal and professional development projects.

Described as “a space of welcome and stability,” the new accommodation is a new step in efforts to improve living conditions and support systems for France’s transgender community.

“Access to healthcare and doctors has become an impossible obstacle course. This situation is unacceptable,” Bayrou said. “Like the education system, the organisation of healthcare in our country was once a source of pride. But certain decisions, such as the numerus clausus, have had dramatic effects on the provision of healthcare.”

Bayrou’s remarks come amid growing public frustration in rural and underserved urban areas, where residents often wait weeks or months for basic medical appointments.

The prime minister also took aim at Parcoursup, France’s controversial university admissions platform, arguing that it fosters social inequality by favouring students from families with insider knowledge.

“I must admit I have many questions about Parcoursup,” he said. “Early orientation, which Parcoursup organises, is in most cases social orientation. It’s because parents know the codes and maps of the system that their children can make the right choices.”

He lamented that France had become a “cruel country” for offering limited chances to those who fall behind early in life. 

Montenegro defended his record, stating he has "never yielded to any particular interest in the face of the public interest" and would recuse himself from decision-making if a conflict arose.

"As a Portuguese, I have never yielded to any particular interest in the face of the public interest and the general interest. And that's how it will continue. As soon as any conflict of interest arises, for personal or professional reasons, I will not take part in the various decision-making processes," he told the media.

The controversy stems from reports that a company linked to Montenegro’s wife and children held a €4,500 ($4,680) per month contract with Solverde for personal data handling services after July 2021. The prime minister, however, insists his focus remains on governing and ensuring stability amid Europe's broader challenges.

The achievement required meticulous planning and round-the-clock monitoring, as confirmed by Guinness adjudicator Susana Reyes. “To beat a world record and set a new one, especially this one, is pretty unique. It took a lot of work from both Guinness and the record holder's team. We needed witnesses who were monitoring and verifying 24/7 for more than 120 days,” Reyes said.

The underwater habitat, stationed 11 meters below the surface, offered limited space but provided Koch with an intimate connection with marine life. "I didn’t have so much time to reflect; there was so much to do,” Koch said. “But it’s beautiful when things calm down, and it gets dark, and the sea starts glowing. I would turn off all the lights and let the sea be my only light source. It’s indescribable - you have to experience it yourself.”

Reyes noted the logistical challenges of conducting such a record attempt in the open sea, emphasising the complexity of providing for Koch’s needs while ensuring uninterrupted monitoring. "This also implies special logistics - not just to satisfy the needs of our record holder who lived underwater, but also to make sure all the evidence is verifiable," she explained.